SANDY, Utah - Southern Utah
University women's soccer opened its 2010 season playing Utah Valley University
at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah Friday afternoon. Despite a number of
offensive attacks by the Thunderbirds (0-1) throughout the match, two first
half goals by the Wolverines (1-0) led to a 2-0 victory for Utah Valley.
"We played well today, came out with great
energy and put together some attacks late in the first half but it was tough to
comeback against a good Utah Valley team," head coach Brian Stock stated. "We
kept the ball, sustained some good attacks and was able to get close on a
couple chances in front of a great crowd in a unbelievable facility today."
SUU attacked early on as Erin Wright nearly
gave the Thunderbirds an early advantage but her shot from 15 yards out on the
left side, missed wide left, hitting the side of the net.
A bad bounce resulted in a goal for the
Wolverines in the 16th minute. UVU took a shot from just inside midfield that
sailed all the way into the box and was blocked by SUU keeper Charly Booth at
the left post but the ball bounced right to an UVU player who kicked into the
empty net for the score.
Utah Valley again took advantage of a bad
bounce for the Thunderbirds, scoring from 10 yards out in the 25th minute to
make it 2-0. After a clearing attempt by an SUU defender was deflected, a UVU
player gathered in the lose ball and was able to sneak one by a diving Booth
and into the left corner for the goal.
The Thunderbirds rallied back and put
together a couple great looking offensive attacks late in the first half.
Shelby Ostler delivered a beautiful cross from the right corner that sailed
just high of Riley Bassett's header attempt from inside the box. Minutes later,
Bassett's free kick from 20 yards out landed in the right side of box and was
gathered in by McKenzie Hadley who shot on goal but UVU keeper Hailey Brown was
there for the save at the right post to keep it 2-0.
The second half saw SUU dial up the pressure,
taking seven shots and five corner kicks but could not get past the Wolverine
defense as UVU held on to its 2-0 lead.
Booth finished with five saves while Brown
made four saves. Southern Utah finished with 10 shots, led by Bassett and Kally
Barker who each finished with two.
"We will continue to get better and come out
on Wednesday to play against Embry-Riddle," Stock added.
Southern Utah opens its home slate with two matches
at the Thunderbird Soccer Field next week, hosting Embry-Riddle University (AZ)
4 p.m. Wednesday and William Penn University 5 p.m. Saturday
